Nissan Altima 2017

2017 Nissan Altima Expert Rundown Review

Looking for a sedan with powerful engines, great fuel economy and distinctive styling? The 2017 Nissan Altima might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.

Transcript

MARK TAKAHASHI: I'm Edmunds editor Mark Takahashi. And here's an Expert Rundown of the 2017 Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima presents a bit of a mixed bag among the other midsize sedans. You get a lot of power from the base four-cylinder and V6 engines. And on top of that, they're also really fuel efficient. The Altima also gets high marks for its comfortable front seats. But it's a little noisy compared to other cars in the class. Trunk space is about average among other sedans. But the low and wide opening makes loading a whole lot easier. The rear seats have enough space for the average adult. And the elevated seat cushion gives passengers a much better forward view. On the whole, however, the interior isn't as nice as rivals. The materials used are merely average. And the infotainment system is out of date compared to what's currently out there. Bottom line for the Nissan Altima is, you'd be better served by other sedans. The Honda Accord and Mazda 6 remain some of our top picks. The new Toyota Camry will probably be a better choice too.

The Nissan Altima drives into 2017 with few changes from last year ? and that might not be such a good thing. The midsize sedan segment is changing rapidly, and features that were once considered the exclusive domain of luxury cars ? such as adaptive cruise control ? are not only becoming commonly available, but are must-haves for many midsize-sedan shoppers. The Altima was last redesigned four years ago, and what was new and hip then is now looking dated when compared to the more recently redesigned competition.

The Altima did get a minor update last year. Many of the changes were cosmetic: New grille, headlight and taillight designs. Nissan did add advanced safety features like forward collision warning with automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, but these are only offered in the top-of-the-line model. Other manufacturers are offering these potentially life-saving options on mid-level and even low-end models. We still love the Altima's "zero gravity" seats and find them much more comfortable than the competition, but overall the interior décor feels dated and a bit stale.

The Altima's ace in the hole is fuel economy, at least in four-cylinder form. Nissan offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Nissan has programmed its CVT to operate in steps, making it feel more like a conventional automatic transmission. EPA estimated fuel economy is 31 mpg combined (27 city/39 highway), which is very good for the class, though if you opt for the SR model you'll see that combined figure drop by 1 mpg. The engine is noisy under acceleration, and the ride is less refined than the competition ? more signs of the Altima's age.

While many automakers are now offering turbocharged engines as more powerful alternatives, Nissan is sticking with a traditional V6 ? the brilliant 3.5-liter VQ-Series found in several Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. With 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque on tap, it can get the Altima to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds ? nearly 2 seconds faster than the four-cylinder ? but EPA estimated fuel economy drops to 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway).

Nissan offers five versions of the Altima. The nameless base trim level includes the basics, but most buyers will probably want the additional creature comforts found in the Altima S. The SR is the sporty version, while the SV features more comfort-oriented features. The top-of-the-line SL trim is the leather-lined luxury liner of the Altima range, and it's the one you'll have to buy if you want those latest and greatest safety features. Which one will suit you best? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Nissan Altima for you.

Is the 2017 Nissan Altima a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Nissan Altima and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Altima featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review ProcessAll of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What do people think of the 2017 Nissan Altima? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Nissan Altima and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Altima a 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Altima.

Vehicle 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review For the money, this is the best equipped and most fun-to-drive car I've ever owned. Might be partially attributed to my recent experience (driving a Prius for a couple of years), but this car feels luxurious, quiet and powerful, especially considering the price point. The SR is very stylish and sporty looking - spoiler, dual exhaust, upscale alloy wheels, dark tinted glass, manual shifters on the steering column (but automatic transmission primary) - but fuel economy is as good as an econobox. The ride is truly outstanding, barely a notch below the Lexus ES350 I owned a few years ago at not much more than half the price! I have owned 3 Maximas in my life and this car is every bit as much fun to drive as any of them. I am admittedly a bit partial to Nissan since I live in the Nashville, TN area where their US headquarters is located, but would never settle for second-best just out of loyalty. Would recommend anyone considering an economical, comfortable and fun mid-sized sedan to try out this car!!!

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